History

In 1758 the residents of Edgecombe County petitioned the Governor and the Colonial Assembly requesting that the parish of Halifax be granted the status of an individual county - having functioned along with St. Mary’s Parish as the two original Edgecombe County parishes since its creation in 1741 from the southwestern section of Bertie County. Bertie County was formed from the western extension of Chowan Precinct (west of the Chowan River) in the year 1722, and was even earlier, an undefined part of the now extinct original Albemarle County 1664-1668. All territory within the boundaries of Edgecombe County north of the Fishing Creek and Rainbow Banks on the Roanoke River - approximately 711 square miles - was officially designated as Halifax County on January 1, 1759. Halifax County is located in the northeastern area of North Carolina and is bordered on all sides by seven neighboring NC counties. As suggested by Governor Author Dobbs, Halifax was named for George Montague II, Earl of Halifax, first Lord of the Board of Trade and Plantations. The county seat, also named Halifax (town) had been established in 1757 on the Roanoke River. Located on the fall line of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, the county has an interesting mixture of flat and hilly terrain and an excellent climate for agricultural pursuits. The original residents of this area along the southern banks of the Moratuck [Roanoke] River and Quankie Creek were the Tuscarora Indians.

In 1917 Milton Whitney, Chief of Bureau, U. S. Department of Agriculture submitted an official report to the US Government in which he stated that the early settlers of the Halifax County area came mainly from the British Isles. Many of them settled first in New Jersey and other northern States and then migrated to this county. Others came directly to Halifax County. The first settlements in Halifax County were apparently made near the watercourses. The first crops grown were corn, peas, potatoes, flax, and various vegetables. Live stock was brought in at an early date, and gradually increased in number. Flax was spun and woven into garments for home use. Considerable wool was produced and made into clothing at home. Tanneries were in operation at an early date, and furnished leather for making shoes. Nearly every settler grew tobacco for domestic use. Cotton was grown in small patches and made into homespun garments, the lint being separated from the seed by hand.

In 1774, the southeastern part of Halifax County was combined with part of Tyrrell County to form Martin County. Today Halifax County is comprised of twelve townships with a total population of 57,370 people (2000 Census). The Townships are: Brinkleyville, Butterwood, Conoconnara, Enfield, Faucett, Halifax, Littleton, Palmyra, Roanoke Rapids, Roseneath, Scotland Neck, and Weldon.

Land records of Edgecombe County, and Bertie District, are included in the record of deed series.

Parent County

1758--Halifax County was officially established in 1759 from Edgecombe County.County seat: Halifax [3]

An Act for dividing Edgecomb County

I. Whereas divers inconveniences attend the Inhabitants of Edgecomb County, by reason of the large extent thereof, and the great Distance that many of them live from the Court House, and other Places usually appointed for Public Meetings;

II. Be it therefore Enacted, by the Governor, Council, and Assembly, and by the Authority of the same, That from and immediately after the First Day of January next ensueing, the said County of Edgecomb be divided, by the dividing Line between the Parish of Edgecomb and the Parish of St. Mary; and that that Part of the said County which is now the Parish of St. Mary, remain, be called, and known by the Name of Edgecomb County; and that that Part of the said County which is now the Parish of Edgecomb, be thence forth erected into one distinct County, and called and known by the Name of Halifax.

III. And for the due Administration of Justice, Be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That after the said first Day of January, a Court for the said County of Edgecomb be constantly held, by the Justices thereof, at Redman's Oldfield, on Tyoncoca, upon the Days and Times by Law appointed for that purpose; and also that a Court for the said County of Halifax be constantly held, by the Justices thereof, at Enfield, upon the first Tuesdays in March, June, September, and December, in every Year, as by the Laws of this Province is Provided, and shall be, by Commission to the Justices of the said Counties, respectively, directed.

IV. And be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That nothing herein contained shall be construed to debar the Sheriff of the said County of Edgecomb, as the same stands now undivided, to make Distress for any Levies, Fees, or other Dues, that shall be due from the Inhabitants of the said County on the said First Day of January, in the same Manner as by Law the said Sheriff could or might have done if the said County had remained undivided; and the said Levies, Fees, and other Dues, shall be collected and accounted for in the same Manner as if this Act had never been made; any Thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

V. Be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That after the said First Day of January, the said County of Halifax shall be, continue, and remain part of the District Supreme Court of Justice, Oyer and Terminer, and General Gaol Delivery, usually held for the Counties of Northampton, Edgecomb, and Granville; and the Sheriff or Collector of the said County of Halifax shall, from Time to Time account for and pay to the Public Treasurer of the Northern District of this Province for the Time being, all Public Levies by him Collected, or wherewith he shall stand Chargeable, in the same Manner, and under the like Pains and Penalties, as other Sheriffs.

VI. Provided always, That nothing herein contained shall be construed, deemed or taken, to alter or derogate from the Rights and Royal Prerogative of his Majesty, his heirs or Successors of granting Letters of Incorporation to the said Counties, and of ordering, appointing, and directing the Election of a Member or Members to represent them in Assembly, and of granting Markets and Fairs to be kept and held in them respectively; but that the said Right and Prerogative shall and may, at all Times hereafter, be exercised therein by his said Majesty, his Heirs or Successors, in as full and ample manner, to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever, as if this Act had never been made.

Court

Land

The Halifax County Register of Deeds has copies of land records starting from 1732. Marriage records are available since 1825. Birth & Death records are available since October 1913. Generally, it is more cost effective to obtain documents from the County offices for non-certified copies rather than the State Archives, so contact the Registry for availability & pricing.

The North Carolina State Archives has copies of most records prior to about 1930. For a listing of available Halifax County records at the Archives, click onto our Guide. It is generally more cost effective to order directly from the County offices, so check the local offices first for document availability. Before ordering anything from the Archives, please read our Contacting the State Archives page.

Regiments. Service men in Halifax County, North Carolina Genealogy served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Halifax County, North Carolina Genealogy:

World War II

Newspapers

Probate

The Clerk of the Superior Court for Halifax County has copies of court, wills and estate records starting from 1759 if they have not been transferred to the State Archives.

The North Carolina State Archives has copies of most records prior to about 1930. For a listing of available Halifax County records at the Archives, click onto our Guide. It is generally more cost effective to order directly from the County offices, so check the local offices first for document availability.

1790 - Records: Halifax County, North Carolina: Tax Lists for Years 1782 and 1790... (transcript) online at FamilySearch

Vital Records

The Halifax County Register of Deeds has copies of land records starting from 1732. Marriage records are available since 1825. Birth & Death records are available since October 1913. Generally, it is more cost effective to obtain documents from the County offices for non-certified copies rather than the State Archives, so contact the Registry for availability & pricing.

Family History Centers

Family history centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes. See family history center for more information. Search the online FHC directory for a nearby family history center.